The Oregon Youth Authority, which operates under the auspices of the state of Oregon, is facing a $51 million lawsuit claiming that boys who were in custody at a youth correctional facility in Woodburn were sexually assaulted.

The lawsuit, filed by at least 10 individuals, alleges they suffered at the hands of state officials including a long-standing doctor at one of the facilities.

Operating as part of the state's juvenile justice system, the Oregon Youth Authority serves individuals aged 12 to 24 who are involved in the criminal justice system because of a crime that was committed before they were 18.

The lawsuit brings disturbing allegations against the doctor who worked at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility between 2000 and 2008. During that time, several men say they were sexually abused as children by Edward Gary Edwards.

The individuals who brought their claims forward are not named in the lawsuit to protect their privacy. The lawsuit paints a detailed image of a doctor who was widely known throughout the facility for abusing the boys. Nicknamed "Dr. Cold Fingers," the plaintiffs say they were often threatened with being sent to the doctor's office if they did not follow orders from the detention center staff.

The plaintiffs' attorney, Peter Janci, shared with local outlet KATU, "The abuse unfolded the same way each time. They would go to Dr. Edwards for an appointment for purported medical treatment. And instead of treatment, they would be sexually abused." Janci adds, "And worse than that, we alleged in this lawsuit that at times the MacLaren staff weaponized Dr. Edwards' abuse of youth. By that, we mean when one of our clients’ behavior wasn't to the staff's liking, they would threaten them that, 'Hey, if you don't get in line, we're gonna send you to see Dr. Cold Fingers.'"

The lawsuit goes on to say that there was a culture of silence throughout the facility when it came to allegations of sexual abuse. It states that staff members who had complaints against them were not properly investigated, and there was an overall failure to properly train staff and implement policies that would prevent abuse.

Janci shares that although 10 plaintiffs are being represented, there are likely many more victims who have not yet come forward. During his time at the facility, Dr. Edwards had access to over 10,000 children.

Reports also indicate that Dr. Edwards likely did not act alone and that there may be other perpetrators involved.

While the plaintiffs allege the abuse happened between 2000 and 2008, Dr. Edwards took a position with the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in 1977. Between the late 1990s and at least up until 2007, Dr. Edwards was the only full-time provider at the facility. The lawsuit describes him as having "unfettered and unmonitored access to his victims."

The facility's director, Joe O'Leary, has since been removed from his position at MacLaren. However, State Governor Tina Kotek says that his termination was due to a backlog of abuse reports that were filed, not anything directly related to the lawsuit. His termination occurred on February 14th after an investigation was launched into the agency's Professional Standards Office.

Dr. Edwards is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit because he died in February and was never charged with any crimes related to the allegations made in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also paints a damning picture of multiple Oregon Youth Authority facilities. For example, one of the victims says he was abused at the hands of Dr. Edwards but was later transferred to the Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility located in Salem. There, the same victim was allegedly repeatedly groped by a female staff member.

Janci’s law firm highlights that in 2001 and 2002, a female substance abuse counselor was arrested after she sexually groomed and assaulted two residents. Meanwhile, staff at the facility were allegedly aware but turned a blind eye.